Civilization and social happiness, among the ancients, may be considered as having been almost stationary. The refined philosophy and elegant accomplishments of the Greeks, the vigour of volition and hardihood of enterprise of the Romans, contributed little towards the permanent prosperity of the species; for mankind remained, nearly as in a state of nature, divided into two classes; the strong and the free, and the feeble and the enslaved. /

In the woods of Germany were laid the foundations of a combination, which, favoured by accident, and nurtured by the co-operation of many causes, has given a new impetus to society, and has effected a substantial improvement in the human condition, equivalent almost to a second creation.

The principle of representative government, founded in the positive equality of all men before the law, by raising the importance of the people, has given activity to their industry, combination to their efforts, illumination to their intellect, and integrity to their morals. The security of property, and the sacredness of person, by elevating individuals in their own estimation, has inspired in them a reverence for the opinion of others; and while they place the mere man beyond the physical sufferings, they raise him above the moral turpitude and groveling vices of slavery and subjection. /

The connexion between virtue, happiness, and liberty, is inseparable; and that insatiable lust of power, which had so repeatedly been foiled in its direct efforts against popular rights in these kingdoms, has more fatally succeeded, by sapping and undermining the foundations upon which they repose. A well organized system of corruption, commenced even before the reign of George the First, has been perseveringly directed to overthrow the constitution, by demoralizing the subject; and has rendered the luxury of commercial prosperity an unperceived agent of political degradation. This system, which in England was at first cherished in silence, and propagated in darkness, has from the beginning been openly and unblushingly pursued, and unresistingly admitted, amidst the dispiriting factions, and debilitating dissensions, which have constantly agitated the sister island.